Cyclist who was victim of hit-and-run guilty of assault and criminal damage

Court hears how Richard McDermott smashed 4×4’s window with D-lock after incident… A York cyclist who was the victim of a hit-and-run incident has admitted smashing the window of the vehicle involved with his D-lock after the driver refused to give him his insurance details.

Richard McDermott, aged 37, pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage and assault in connection with the incident on October 22 last year, reports the York Press (link is external) .

The motorist involved, Ian Lowson, 41, was referred by police to a driver improvement scheme but faced no further action.

The incident took place at 6.30pm following what prosecutor Cathy Turnbull described to York Magistrates’ Court as a “stand-off” between the motorist, who was driving a 4×4, and the cyclist.

Both were waiting to enter the junction of Mill Lane and Heworth Green where temporary roadworks were taking place.

As they made their way through, travelling in opposite directions, McDermott was knocked from his bike.There were conflicting statements from witnesses, with one saying the motorist had swerved to avoid a traffic cone and another saying that Lowson had speeded up as he drove towards the cyclist.Police said that traffic cones marking out the roadworks may have led to […]